Northern District Commander Major-General Shimon Koren said Tuesday that police were justified in using live fire against rioters in the Druze village of Peki’in earlier in the day.  Some rioters had opened fire on officers, he said, while others had used gas and shock grenades.

Druze leaders called for an investigation into the incident, while Druze MK Majalli Whbree (Kadima) called to fire senior police officials.  40 villagers and policemen were wounded in the riots, which began when police attempted to arrest Druze youths suspected of vandalism.